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016.15.4-IV-C. Case Staffings

AR ADC 016.15.4-IV-CArkansas Administrative Code

West's Arkansas Administrative Code
Title 016. Department of Human Services
Division 15. Division of Children and Family Services
Rule 4. Policy and Procedure Manual
Chapter IV. Assessment of Family Strengths and Needs to Develop Individualized Case Plans
Ark. Admin. Code 016.15.4-IV-C
016.15.4-IV-C. Case Staffings
Currentness
A case staffing is a meeting of all involved parties for the purpose of assessing the current status of the child and family strengths and needs and developing or updating the case plan accordingly. Case staffings will address all appropriate issues relevant to the needs and strengths of the family. A case staffing may be held for various reasons based on the needs of the child and family. Situations which require a staffing include but are not limited to:
A. Developing the initial case plan;
B. Reviewing progress or making changes in the case plan to include reviewing progress or making changes to the Transitional Plan for a child 14 or older in an out-of-home placement;
C. Reviewing situations where a child has been in three or more out-of-home placements within a 12 month period;
D. Addressing challenges that bring a child or family into a state of crisis;
E. Determining the need for ongoing services and/or supports; and,
F. Reviewing the need for case closure before a case is closed.
PROCEDURE IV-C1: Case Staffings
The Family Service Worker will:
A. Invite supervisors, parents, or guardian, and if there is court involvement, Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA, if applicable), all parties' attorneys, foster parents, caretaker, age-appropriate child, and any other involved party in the case plan.
B. Inform families of their right to have their attorney present.
C. Furnish written notice to the child, if of appropriate age (10 years or older).
D. Furnish written notice of the staffing CFS-590: Invitation to Family-Centered Meeting (complete with date, time and location to all participants at least two weeks prior to the staffing.
E. File copies of the CFS-590: Invitation to Family-Centered Meeting in the case record. Include documentation of the reason, if the child was not able to attend.
F. Document on the case plan any parent's unwillingness to participate and provide this written documentation to the parent if available.
G. Conduct the:
1) Initial staffing within 30 days of opening the case (whether in-home services of out-of-home placement) or a child's entering an out-of-home placement, whichever comes first regarding out-of-home placement cases;
2) Subsequent staffings at least every three months for in-home services and out-of-home placement cases.
H. Complete the original case plan by the initial staffing and update the case plan as needed after subsequent staffings.
I. Review the case plan for compliance by the participants and update as necessary to reflect progress made, new factual circumstances, and new goals.
J. Conduct a permanency planning staffing at the 11th month of case opening. Invite the adoption specialist and all other parties involved in the case.
K. Conduct a staffing before closing a case to review progress and determine that closure is appropriate.
The FSW Supervisor will:
A. Conference with the FSW as necessary regarding case plan staffings.
B. Attend all case plan staffings if possible.
The Area Director will:
A. Hold a special case staffing within two weeks of the third move, whenever a child has been in three or more out-of-home placements within a 12 month period.
B. Address the reasons for the frequent moves.
C. Determine what steps shall be taken to prevent future placement disruptions.
D. Include the Family Service Worker, supervisor, foster parents, age-appropriate child, and any appropriate service providers and/or life connections for the child.
E. Conduct a staffing to review the status of a child placed in long-term, out-of-home care.
Some persons will attend the entire staffing, while others will attend only the portion of the staffing relating to the area in which they are involved. Confidentiality prevents sharing information with unauthorized individuals.

Credits

Adopted Feb. 1, 2010. Amended Jan. 1, 2013; Dec. 18, 2014.
Current with amendments received through February 15, 2024. Some sections may be more current, see credit for details.
Ark. Admin. Code 016.15.4-IV-C, AR ADC 016.15.4-IV-C
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